Foreign Relations of the United States, 1961–1963, Volume XIX, South Asia

66. Telegram From the Department of State to the Embassy in India⁰

Washington, December 8, 1961, 8:28 p.m.

1962. Re Delhi 1611 Dept,¹ Lisbon 606 Dept.² Assistant Secretary Talbot called in Ambassador Nehru to discuss Goa morning eighth. He said current situation re Goa has caused Portuguese Government to express deep concern to US. Within USG queries also have been coming to Talbot as to whether GOI would use force to settle issue.

His own position has been to assume GOI would not use force because it has said it would not; it would be contrary to its basic policy; it would do such harm to Indian image. We have noted troop movements but assumed they were not prelude actual invasion. He hoped Ambassador could confirm these assumptions correct. Talbot pointed out US position to oppose use force and that were troops to move across juridical frontier we would expect matter to come to Security Council where US would be forced to take a position against military action.

Ambassador Nehru accepted strength of arguments against use of force but stated he was not in position say what his Government intended do. He noted pressures on Indian Government to act after 14 years in which Portugal has made no movement towards resolving issue. He noted continuing Portuguese oppression in Goa and recent Portuguese military reinforcements. He noted that Mexico December 6 had offered in Delhi to use its influence to organize Latin American countries to persuade Portugal “relieve tensions.” Prime Minister Nehru had replied only way relieve tensions was de facto transfer Goa to India.

Talbot indicated Indian argument that it no longer possible wait for solution Goa problem was understandable but actually situation not static. He noted pressures building up on Portugal over past year and changing Portuguese policies in some of its overseas territories.

Ambassador asked what US is telling Portugal. Mr. Talbot replied we have said our position is to oppose use of force but Portugal knows Stevenson statement March 15 (i.e., on self-determination) still valid.

Ambassador noted Goa situation different from Angola. Asked what US prepared to do if we advised India not to go to war.

Talbot replied he could not now speak on this for USG. Only answer he could give was to repeat his own conviction time would see progress on this issue.

Ambassador promised to convey US concern to his Government.

Dept suggests you talk to Nehru along foregoing lines. Do you have reason to believe that Nehru’s delay in receiving you (urtel 1629)³ might also be calculated to hold off US representations re Goa?

Rusk

0. Source: Department of State, Central Files, 753D.00/12-561. Confidential; Niact. Drafted by Horgan, cleared with EUR/WE, and approved by Talbot. Repeated to Lisbon, Paris for the Embassy and USRO, London, and USUN.
1. See footnote 1, Document 65.
2. In telegram 606 from Lisbon, December 6, the Embassy reported the concern of the Portuguese Government over the build-up of Indian military forces in the vicinity of Goa. Foreign Minister Nogueira referred to an earlier assurance that the United States would use its diplomatic and political resources to oppose attempts to annex Portuguese territories. On behalf of his government, Nogueira formally appealed to the United States to express its attitude on the question to India. (Department of State, Central Files, 753D.00/12-661)
3. In telegram 1629 from New Delhi, December 7, Galbraith reported that Nehru was busy and it was difficult to make an appointment to see him. (Ibid., 656.9813/12-761)